by Chris O’Carroll

The things that he likes about Nambia
Are, believe me, too many to list.
Of praise for the health care in Nambia
His applause mainly seems to consist.
The strides they’ve been making in Nambia
Are terrific ones, that is his gist.
He has much more knowledge of Nambia
Than of countries that really exist.

by Joanna Bird

RSPCA called to rescue lizard that turns out to be a dirty sock —The Independent, September 2017

Is it a rare type of pink stripy gecko,
Or some other lizardy reptile instead?
Surely it can’t be a dragon (Komodo)—
Enough to fill anyone’s family with dread!
But no, it’s a far more formidable foe:
A teenager’s sock lurking under the bed.

by Mark Granier

Manafort,
scrambling for any port
in a storm, any vessel docked in Shit Creek,
asks only that it won’t leak.

Sessions
in secret, before a mirror, does his impressions
of Yoda
and Jayne Mansfield sipping a cream soda.

Kelly
managed to separate Trump from his favourite telly
but, when it came to Twitter,
had to conscript the wife, the bodyguard and the babysitter.

by Orel Protopopescu

He takes a swing at Hillary
when feeling lost or off his game.
He doesn’t need artillery.
A thumb will do. He has no shame.

Polls under par? Balls out of bounds?
Then why not hit her in the back?
His base adores the way it sounds,
the whoosh! each time he takes a whack.

Teed off by Mueller’s iron grip,
he searches through his bag of fun
for phantom clubs to let her rip—
this madman, cheat, a-hole-in-one.

by Damian Balassone

Blessed are the rich
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mock
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the psychotic
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for power
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the pussy-grabbers
for they will be called children of God.

by Mae Scanlan

When health care and global unrest get you down,
When tax cuts and budget woes cause you to frown,
Just pause and consider: a few months, and then
William and Kate will be parents again!